Chapter 16- Duel to the Death

Mr. Miffugan quietly entered Remus's room. He placed the flowers he had brought on a nearby table and watched as Remus opened his eyes. He sat up in alarm at the sight of Rich and Rich pulled up a chair.
"How are you?" he asked sitting.
"Ok." Lupin replied uneasily.
"Alania thought some flowers might cheer you up." He said gesturing to the flowers.
"They're very nice." Lupin answered. He wondered why Rich was really here. Probably about John, he thought.
"I've come to speak to you on two issues, John and Professor Snape."
Remus looked at him curiously as he mentioned Snape's name.
"Well?" he asked. Mr. Miffugan cleared his throat.
"About John. I think you over reacted when you saw Anaka and John kissing. They're just in love. Remember you and Molly? Dumbledore told me you started dating in your 6th year. 5th is close enough," he added, seeing Lupin about to upject, "just give them one more chance."
Remus thought a moment. Maybe he did act a little bit to hastily. He nodded slowly.
"What about Snape?" he asked finally. Rich looked at him sternly.
"This battle is going to continue forever if you don't end it now. It will ruin both of your lives."
"What should I do?" Remus asked.
"I think you should have a duel," Rich said quietly, "it's the only way to end this madness. If you don't try to kill each other fairly then Snape might just do it behind your back. Then you have no chance." Rich shook his head sadly.
Remus said nothing. He knew what Rich was saying was right. When would this madness stop? Snape could kill him without him even knowing and then what would become of Anaka? But he could die in the duel too. Yet somehow he knew that he had to do it.
"You're right." Remus whispered, "Snape and I must duel. And soon." Before we start something bigger, he added silently.
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Over the next two weeks Remus and Severus recovered fully. Anaka became suspicious of her father immediately. He kept on spending nights locked in his room with Sirius, talking something over. Harry had also noticed Sirius's strange behavior. When they asked the adults what was wrong they would never answer.
Meanwhile, Anaka was taught how to read the runes. Alania was kind to her and Anaka came to love the stories she told. The one thing that depressed her all day was Defense Against the Dark Arts. She hardly ever saw John except during class and it hurt just to see him.
It was after breakfast one day, when Anaka saw her father speaking with Dumbledore.
"What's going on?" Harry asked curious.
"I don't know, but I don't like it." Anaka replied.
Dumbledore listened to Remus sadly. He knew that he couldn't stop them from dueling, especially since Snape agreed.
"Are you sure Remus?" Dumbledore asked once more, "Think of Anaka."
"I have to." Remus said sternly.
"Very well," Dumbledore sighed, "on the field after 1st."
Remus nodded. He turned and saw Anaka with Harry nearby.
"Ana, I must tell you something." He said walking up to her.
"What?" she asked. Remus hesitated as Hermione and Ron joined them.
"What's going on?" Hermione asked.
"Something wrong?" Ron asked, glancing at the groups grim faces.
"I need to speak with Ana alone." Lupin replied.
"You can tell them. Harry especially." Anaka said quietly. Her father sighed. He gestured to the door and they walked out. In the hall Remus explained about the duel.
"It's the only way to end this. I hope to only knock Severus out and not kill him. I'm afraid though that he's out to kill me."
"Dad you can't!" Anaka cried.
"It's already been decided." Remus said sadly. He hugged his daughter tightly.
"I love you." She whispered.
"I love you too." Remus said, softly stroking her hair.
"At least let me be there." Anaka said pleadingly.
"Us too." Hermione added.
"Will Sirius be there?" Harry asked. Remus nodded.
"I must get ready. Sirius is waiting." He said uncomfortably and left.
Anaka stood there feeling cold. How could her father be so rash? How could Dumbledore agree?
"He'll be fine." Ron said quietly. Anaka gave him an unbelieving glance.
"I hope so." She said, her eyes watering, "I can't lose him."
Together the group made their way to the field.
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Harry watched Dumbledore pace and stop by Madam Pomfry on the field. Sirius was nowhere to be seen but Harry knew he was there. Dumbledore had objected to them going but one look at their grimly set faces told him that he couldn't change their minds. They sat on the field huddled together. Sunfire pranced around Anaka's feet. Anaka stared at the ground. Snape stood on one side of the field and Remus was on the other. They both took out their wands.
Anaka watched Dumbledore address both participants and then start the duel. It seemed to Anaka that the sky was alive with fireworks. Spells were everywhere and figures dodged and repelled. It was all a blur. Madam Pomfry gripped Dumbledore's hand and tried to make out the figures but the smoke and light was too much. Harry and Ron held their breath and waited. Hermione cried softly beside them. Anaka stood in a daze, holding Sunfire close. Her world was falling apart. She kept on thinking about what would happen if either of them died. Either way her world would be shattered and never the same. A dark cloud was over her. She walked slowly towards the field. Dumbledore stopped her with a hand and drew her close. She clung to his robe. She felt like a lost, scared child.
Suddenly, the smoke cleared. The duelers had switched places and were opposite each other. Both breathed heavily. Snape limped slightly, and Remus held his arm in pain. His vision was blurring and he knew Snape's last spell had got him. He slowly slipped to the ground and a small cry of pain escaped him. The world was going in and out. He caught his daughter's horrified look of pain and inner turmoil.
"I'm sorry." He mouthed, wordlessly, though no one saw. Except maybe Snape. Lupin saw his hesitant glance, as he looked at Anaka.
Don't do it, Remus urged him silently, don't take me from her …not yet. Lupin watched as Severus smiled triumphantly and his eyes held an evil look. He lifted his wand and started to speak.
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As he watched Remus fall to the ground, Sirius's stomach cringed. He couldn't watch his best friend die. His anger and loyalty flared and as Snape recited the spell Sirius jumped out of the shadows, into the middle of the field. Blocking Remus, he took out his wand and repelled the spell. Smoke and sparks flared as Severus's spell backfired. Sirius was thrown back and a sharp pain went through his spine into his head. Then the world went black.
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Anaka gasped and tried to see through the smoke. She knew that once the smoke cleared she would see someone she loved dead. Harry stood horrified beside her. As the smoke cleared they heard a horrible scream. Anaka knew at once that it was her father and ran forward. Snape was holding his head. He was lying on the floor and seemed to be unconscious. His spell had backfired on him, causing him extreme pain. Sirius lay sprawled in the middle of the field. His body was still and Anaka couldn't see him breathing. Her father was struggling to reach Sirius. He was crawling on the grass, pain all over his face. Madam Pomfry ran up to Sirius, seeing that he was the most in need. She glanced at Dumbledore.
"I'll ask later. Right now we need to get him to the infirmary."
"Sirius." Remus screamed in pain. Anaka ran to him.
"Dad! Dad he'll be fine!" she hugged him tightly. To her surprise and dismay, her father started to cry. The pain in his body was unbelievable and the sight of Sirius was too much for him to bear. The world faded as he started to mumble.
"He went in the middle of me and Severus…. tried to help me…can't be dead…no…no!"
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Anaka surveyed the three beds. Sverus was in one, a huge bandage on his head. His spell had turned on him and knocked him to the ground. His head had been bleeding and he had a broken arm. Otherwise he was fine. The spell that he had used on her father had given him a strange illness. It was slowly eating away the nerves in his arm and spreading. His fever had been high but they had brought it down. Madam Pomfry said it would take about a month to heal fully but he would be fine.
Sirius was another matter. He was in a coma now and no one knew how long he would be in it. Harry was sleeping by his bed, holding his hand. He was slumped in his chair. Dumbledore had explained everything to Madam Pomfry and she was trying her best. Anaka was sitting by her father quietly. Dumbledore had excused both her and Harry from classes. There was no way they could think while the two most important people in their lives were ill.
"Ana?" Remus whispered hoarsely. It hurt him to breath.
"Dad. I'm here." She said softly.
"Sirius?"
"He'll be fine. You just get well."
Her father nodded and went back to sleep. Anaka sadly looked at Sirius. His face was like stone and his hands had been so cold when she held them. Sunfire was curled up sleeping on the end of his bed.
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It took a whole month, but finally Remus was walking about. Anaka and Harry had been forced back to classes and Snape was teaching again. Harry was like a zombie all-day and even yelled at Snape once. To everyone's surprise Snape didn't reprimand him. He just looked at him sadly and told him to keep working. Remus spent every waking moment by Sirius's bed. Waiting for a sign that his friend was there, still living.
"Come on Padfoot." He urged.
But there was never an answer. During all that time Remus recalled all there days at Hogwarts together. He recalled all their pranks and the days of James and Lily's and his and Molly's weddings. Anaka brought Sunfire to visit sometimes and they would sit there with Harry quietly. After so many days, not to many happy memories were left for Remus to remember. The dreadfully dark ones started to surface. He remembered the news of James, Lily's, Molly's and Peter's (supposed) deaths. He remembered the feeling to go right to Sirius and then the news that Sirius was the killer. The idea that he had betrayed him. Left him alone with Anaka. He remembered the one time he had gone to see Sirius in Azkaban, when he was found guilty of killing James and Lily.
"How could you?" he had asked coldly. Sirius had just stared at him quietly.
"Does friendship mean nothing to you?" he had yelled.
"I didn't do it." Sirius replied quietly. Remus had felt the tears well up and the want to believe him.
"People saw you kill Peter! They heard him say you killed James and Lily and saw you kill him! Can you deny that?"
Sirius had looked at the floor. Remus had felt his heart rip to shreds and the anger well in him.
"Some friend you are. Were you going to kill me and Ana next? Were you going to sell us out to Voldemort too?" he spat.
"I'd never do that!" Sirius had cried desperately. Remus had shaken his head.
"Yes, you would have. Did you ever think of Harry? Your Godson? Or did it slip your damn mind?!?!?!" He screamed.
Sirius looked at him sadly.
"How is Harry?"
"How do you think? Stuck with the Dursleys." Lupin sighed.
There was an awkward silence. Then Remus had left.
"If only I'd known." Remus groaned. He squeezed Sirius's hand, "Just come back."
"Dad?"
Remus turned to see Anaka and Harry by the door. Anaka was holding the album.
"Come in Ana, Harry."
Anaka and Harry pulled up two chairs and sat next to Remus. Anaka handed the album to her father silently. Remus opened it and smiled instantly. He put the book flat on his lap so everyone could see. The pictures smiled at them and waved.
"This is a picture of James and Lily and me and Molly. We were in our 7th year." He pointed to the picture; "You can see Peter and Sirius in the back."
He went through the album slowly explaining each picture. There were pictures of James and Lily's wedding, when Harry was born, Molly and Remus's wedding, and when Anaka was born.
"This is my favorite picture of you two." Remus said smiling. There was a picture of Harry and Anaka sleeping side by side as babies.
"You two were the cutest kids around." Remus replied. Harry and Anaka smiled. It felt good to smile again.
They flipped through the album some more. There were some pictures of vacations and birthdays. Then the album changed. Remus smiled.
"In the back I put some pictures of our old school days at Hogwarts. I thought you'd like the pictures of your mother in the front. These are just some extras."
Anaka and Harry looked anxiously at the photos. The pictures went all the way back to their first year.
"You look so different!" Anaka exclaimed.
"Well, I was a lot younger then." Remus said laughing.
"That's Sirius?" Harry asked pointing to one picture. This was the weirdest picture of them all. Sirius, James, Remus, and Peter all stood together. They were making strange faces and laughing.
"That's my favorite picture…" a voice croaked.
Remus looked up surprised.
"Sirius!!" they cried. His eyes were opened slightly and he was smiling.
"I remember when we took that picture…" he said hoarsely.
"You were the one that started fooling around!" Remus said quietly. He gripped Sirius's hand. Harry grabbed the other.
"How do you feel?" he asked happily. Sirius shrugged.
"I feel like a dragon rammed into me." He groaned.
"I'll get Madam Pomfry." Anaka said smiling.
Madam Pomfry looked Sirius over.
"Well, you've had a nasty time Black." She replied. Sirius smiled.
"You're the best Madam Pomfry."
"Yes, yes, of course." She mumbled, "You should stay here for at least another month."
"Of course he will." Remus said quickly, seeing Sirius about to object. Sirius glanced at him.
"Fine," he sighed, "I'll just stay here bored."
"Sunfire will keep you company." Anaka added.
"So will I. But if you would like to be alone, just let me know." Remus replied.
Sirius nodded. He closed his eyes and went to sleep.
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Remus walked through the halls smiling. He hadn't left Sirius's side for days and it felt good to walk around. Anaka walked quietly beside him. Harry had decided to stay with Sirius. Anaka cleared her throat.
"Dad?"
"Yes."
"About…John."
Remus stopped and turned to his daughter.
"What about him?"
"Are you going to keep us apart?"
"Have you seen him lately?"
"Only during class." She looked at him angrily, "I've kept my promise."
They stood there silent for a moment.
"You really like him don't you?" Remus asked sighing.
"I love him." She whispered. Remus looked at Anaka's face. It was full of grief.
"I don't think I'd be able to stop you from seeing him for long. You can see him whenever you like."
Anaka brightened and hugged her father tightly.
"Thank you!!" she cried, "I'll see you later!"
At that she ran around the corner. Remus looked after her worriedly. I can't help her now, he thought sadly, I must attend to more pressing matters.
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Remus quietly walked down to the dungeons. He knew that he had to settle this business with Snape now. It couldn't wait any longer. Remus knocked on his door nervously, only to find that it was open.
"Severus?" he called, entering the classroom.
The room was empty and dreadfully silent. Remus swallowed hard as he walked further into the room. He stopped at Snape's desk and curiously started to look at the papers. Then the door slammed shut. Remus flinched and looked up. Snape was staring at him angrily and walking towards him.
"It's not polite to look through other people's things." He hissed.
"I just came by to talk to you Severus." Remus replied, trying to smile.
The truth was that Remus was nervous. Even though he looked ridiculous in the bandage, Snape's eyes were deadly. They peered at him and felt like daggers. The idea that Snape might try to kill him right then and there made Remus shiver.
"What do you want?" Severus snapped finally. Remus walked away from his desk.
"Well, I think we need to talk about the duel."
"You want to have another one?" Snape asked in surprise.
"No, no." Remus said shaking his head, "I think we need to promise to be nice to each other." Snape grunted.
"Be nice? You mean try not to kill each other."
"Yes, if that's ok with you."
"Does that include Black?" Severus asked shuffling some papers on his desk.
"Yes, that includes Sirius." Remus said firmly. Snape shrugged.
"Fine."
"I guess we should get to dinner." Remus said trying to smile.
Severus passed him silently but looked at him evilly.
"This doesn't mean I like you both." He grumbled. Remus sighed and closed the door as he left.
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Anaka made her way to the Defense Against the Dark Arts room quickly. She knocked on the door and waited anxiously. When no answer came she tried the door. It was locked.
"John!" she called, "John it's me. Ana!"
Anaka listened closely as a noise came from behind the door. It opened a crack and a pair of sea green eyes stared at her.
"Ana, it's you!" John cried throwing the door open. He hugged Anaka tightly.
"May I come in?" Anaka asked laughing as they parted. John nodded and closed the door behind her.
"I've missed you so much." He said sadly as they sat down.
"I've missed you too. But everything will be fine now. Dad said he'd give you another chance."
John cocked an eyebrow.
"When was the first?" he asked.
"It doesn't matter now." Anaka scolded.
"Well, at least mom told us about Abaron. Everything makes more sense now."
"You didn't know?"
"Of course not. I would have told you if I had."
Anaka smiled.
"I never got to tell you that I love you too." She said quietly looking at her hands.
"You're dad kind of interrupted us there." John said laughing. He stood up and took Anaka's hands, dragging her up with him. They stood there for a while looking in each other's eyes. Then John kissed her.
"I guess we should go to the Great Hall now." Anaka said blushing, as they pulled apart.
"Of course." John said smiling. They exited the classroom hand in hand.
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"Wait up guys!" Harry cried as Anaka and John stopped in front of the Great Hall's doors.
"How's our…. um…friend?" Anaka said glancing at John.
"He's fine and asleep." Harry replied. He looked through the door's windows and watched Dumbledore stand up.
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The Great Hall grew quiet as Dumbledore stood up.
"I have some news for you tonight about the OWLs," He started when suddenly the windows around the Great Hall shattered. The students gasped as small balls fell to the floor. The Hall was quiet as the balls started to release a strange smelling gas.
The students cried out in surprise and coughed as they inhaled the gas. The professors, caught by surprise, had no time to react. They all inhaled the gas except for Snape, Dumbledore, Remus, and the Miffugans. They were sitting close enough to Dumbledore that the gas took longer to reach them. They quickly took out their wands and put a spell on their faces so they wouldn't inhale the gas.
Anaka, John, and Harry stood outside the doors. They had watched the whole horrible scene take place.
"We have to help them!!" Harry cried. He ran for the doors but John grabbed his robes and pulled him back.
"If you open those doors we'll all be exposed to that gas." He scolded.
"What should we do?" Anaka asked quietly.
"Wait. Wait and see what happens next." He said sternly.
The gas quickly cleared and the students and Professors gasped for fresh air. John, Harry, and Anaka quickly entered the Great Hall.
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Sirius woke up suddenly to the sound of claws on the floor. He listened to the small scratching noise and realized what it was.
"Rat claws." He growled. Sirius tried to sit up but found he couldn't. He tried a little slower and leaned heavily on the backboard.
"Peter where are you?" he asked in pain. Suddenly Peter stood before him. A piece of paper in his mouth. He took it out with his one hand and looked at Sirius sadly.
"How are you feeling?" he asked nervously.
"Why do you care?" Sirius snapped. Peter filched. He handed the paper to Sirius.
"From your master?" Sirius growled, snatching the paper from Peter's hand. Peter's eyes narrowed.
"I'll see you again Sirius." He said coldly. Then he disappeared. Sirius waited until the sound of his claws was gone. Then he read the paper:

Dumbledore,
Next time you and your students will be dead. This was a warning. Leave Hogwarts. I do not give more then one warning. Be glad you even got one.
You-Know-Who

Sirius frowned. The writing looked surprisingly like blood and he didn't doubt that it was.
"What happened that was a warning?" he mumbled. He folded the paper and thought a moment.
"Is everything all right in here? I heard you talking in your sleep before." Madam Pomfry asked bringing him some food.
"I need you to get Dumbledore for me. Quickly." He said urgently. Madam Pomfry looked at him confused but nodded. She left for the Great Hall at once.
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"What happened?" John asked Dumbledore as the students started to eat.
It had taken sometime but they had eventually calmed the kids down. Tests the professors preformed on the little gas that remained proved that the gas was not poisonous.
"I'm not sure." Dumbledore murmured.
"Voldemort must have something to do with this." Alania scolded. Her husband nodded.
"Dumbledore!"
The teachers looked up to see Madam Pomfry jogging towards them.
"Sirius wants to see you right away." She informed Dumbledore.
Without a word Dumbledore got up. He glanced at Severus and Remus. They nodded and quickly followed him.
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"It was Voldemort all right." Sirius confirmed after hearing what happened, "Peter gave me this."
Dumbledore quietly took the note. He read it silently, then handed it to Remus and Severus.
"It's to dangerous for the students to stay here now." Dumbledore said quietly.
"That's just what he wants you to do," Sirius said shaking his head, "he wants you and the students to leave Hogwarts. He'll probably take it over."
Dumbledore looked at him with twinkling eyes.
"I said to dangerous for the students, not me."
"But where will they go?" Remus asked. Dumbledore thought a moment.
"We will have a short holiday. 4 days for the students to go home and study for exams, though this may hurt the students taking the OWLs and not help them. The professor's will stay here and help look for the Death Eaters. We must put up a better defense for this school."
"I'll stay too." Sirius replied. Remus hesitated.
"Remus? What is it?" Dumbledore asked.
"Well, it's Ana. I want to help you with the search but where will she go?"
"You're not a professor." Severus said gruffly, "You don't have to stay."
"He is right Remus." Dumbledore pointed out.
"Sirius could go with you." Severus mumbled.
"I don't have a kid to take care of." Sirius pointed out.
"I'll leave for two days. The other two I'll come back. It'll fit perfect, I will be home for the full moon."
Severus was about to add a rude comment when Dumbledore held up a hand.
"We must inform the students now so they can alert their parents."
They left Sirius and walked quietly to the Great Hall. The students were relieved to go home.
"I'll be home for two days. The rest of the time you'll be alone I'm afraid." Remus told Anaka as they left the Great Hall.
"I have an idea." Ron said suddenly, "For the other two days you can come to my house! Harry and Hermione can come too! It'll be like what we did during the summer. My mom already likes you so she won't mind."
"How can she like me if she never met me before?" Anaka asked.
"George wrote all about you. She loves that you can make George stop joking around."
"Why don't you guys come to our house the other two days?" Remus asked.
"Really? That'd be great! You guys will love our house! We have the best view of a lake." Anaka exclaimed.
"This will be the best vacation ever!" Hermione cried.
"It will definitely be interesting." Harry said laughing.